It’s always been a mystery how the Addams family acquired their wealth, but a new character in Wednesday season 2 is providing an answer. The Netflix series has taken its own unique approach to the Addams Family franchise, focusing on Wednesday as a protagonist and changing up the standard setting. This tactic is continuing on into Wednesday season 2 as more classic Addams family members have been added to the cast and character list. Among them is Grandmama Frump, whose presence brings some interesting new details about this version of the macabre family.

At least part of Wedneday season 2 will be set at the Addams’ mansion, which means several members of the family will be introduced. Grandmama Hester Frump will be played by Joanna Lumley, who presents a version of this character unlike anything we have ever seen before. The Addams Family‘s Grandmama is typically small, stout, and witchy, but Lumley’s character is completely fabulous. Netflix’s Tudum describes her as a “wealthy mogul,” which is certainly intriguing. Not only that, but these tidbits of information about Wednesday season 2 finally reveal how the Addamses came to be so rich.

Wednesday Season 2 Confirms How Grandmama Became So Wealthy

Grandmama Runs An Empire

Tudum’s breakdown of Grandmama Hester Frump states that the character is the owner of Frump Mortuaries, “one of the most successful outcast-owned businesses in the country.” This is brand new information in the world of The Addams Family, and seems to be Netflix’s explanation for the glorious mansion and seemingly limitless resources at Morticia, Gomez, and their children’s disposal. Morticia’s mother has an empire, and this has fostered the family’s kooky lifestyle.

There may be even more to all this as well. Back in Wednesday season 1, Xavier told Wednesday that her grandmother and his godmother used to travel Europe together, swindling the rich and notorious. He never said whether he meant her maternal or paternal grandmother. If the latter, then it could be that Morticia and Gomez both brought inherited wealth into their marriage. If it was the former, then Grandmam Frump may have gained the money needed to begin her mortuary empire through trickery and theft.

In the original Addams Family comics, Grandmama was Gomez’s mother. Later, her character was changed to Grandmama Frump.

Of course, none of this can really be considered Addams Family canon. The idea of the original comics and subsequent sitcom was that this was an aristocratic family who didn’t fit the mold of standard New World wealth. Precisely how they came into their money wasn’t important, since it didn’t add anything to the overall story. In the case of Wednesday, however, answers regarding how the Addamses became the family we know and love have value.

Grandmama Running A Mortuary Empire Is A Perfect New Change For Wednesday’s Addams Family Story

This Adds An Interesting Dynamic To The New Season

Wednesday differs significantly from The Addams Family in terms of genre, and the story expectations from one to the next are also quite different. The Netflix series is less of a comedy and more of a horror fantasy, which means worldbuilding is far more important. The showrunners needed to come up with an explanation for the Addamses’ wealth to create a stronger foundation for Wednesday’s character, but it was still important that this blended well with what we already know about The Addams Family. As it is, the mortuary industry is absolutely perfect.

Wednesday returns for season 2 on Netflix, starting August 6th.

The idea that Gomez and Morticia’s wealth comes from mortuary services is perfectly macabre. It truly makes sense for the original franchise. In the context of Wednesday, however, it presents further intriguing questions. It seems as if Grandmama Frump herself built this wealth, so what does such a proud and fabulous woman think of Gomez Addams benefiting from it? Moreover, Outcasts’ struggles serve as the backbone of Wednesday‘s themes, so it will be interesting to see this community’s perspective on Wednesday’s wealth. It’s a small detail, but it makes season 2 all the more exciting.